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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) introduced legislation to cut off U.S. military aid and assistance to Saudi Arabia until U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo determines that missing American resident and Saudi Arabian journalist Jamal Khashoggi is alive and free.

“Time and again, clear evidence has proven that sending American taxpayer support to Saudi Arabia is not in our national security interest and instead helps further destabilize the Middle East. My bill gives Congress another chance to take a stand,” said Dr. Paul.

Khashoggi was last seen alive entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Turkey, on October 2, 2018, where Turkish authorities believe he was murdered.

The legislation marks the latest effort by Dr. Paul to prevent U.S. taxpayers’ support from going to a nation that has supported terrorists around the world, has a poor record on human rights, and has used questionable tactics in a war in Yemen that has left thousands of civilians dead and millions of Yemenis on the edge of famine.

Using special procedures authorized by the Arms Export Control Act of 1976, Dr. Paul has previously led multiple, bipartisan efforts to block U.S. arms sales to Saudi Arabia and forced Senate votes on the issue in September 2016 and June 2017.

To prohibit military aid to Saudi Arabia until the Secretary of State determines that Jamal Khashoggi is alive and free.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

Section 1. Restriction on Military Aid to Saudi Arabia

The United States Government shall not provide any military aid or assistance to the Government of Saudi Arabia until the Secretary of State certifies to Congress that journalist Jamal Khashoggi is alive and free and subsequent legislation is enacted authorizing the resumption of such aid and assistance.